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Barry Zito made his first professional start on July 22, 2000 against the Anaheim Angels. A year earlier, the Oakland A's selected Zito in the first round of the MLB draft. In this image, Zito is pitching against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 2000 ALDS.

Credit:

AP

2002 AL Cy Young Award

Barry Zito (seen here with CSN's own Vida Blue) won the Cy Young Award in 2002. He posted a 2.75 ERA, 78 walks, and 182 strikeouts on the year.

Credit:

AP

Great career with Oakland

Barry Zito catches up with former Athletic Jermaine Dye at the 2006 All-Star Game festivities. This was Zito's third and final All-Star appearance during his seven-year career in Oakland, in which he accumulated 102 wins and a 3.55 ERA.

Credit:

AP

Mega-contract with the Giants

Barry Zito (seen here with manager Bruce Bochy, general manager Brian Sabean, and former owner Peter Magowan) signed a seven-year, $126 million deal with the Giants prior to the 2007 season. At the time, the contract was the largest ever given to a pitcher.

Credit:

AP

Hard times in San Francisco

Barry Zito struggled mightily in his first six years with the Giants, failing to post an ERA under 4.03 in any season and getting left off the 2010 playoff roster that won the World Series.

Credit:

USA TODAY IMAGES

Historic performance in 2012 NLCS

With the Giants down 3-1 in their NLCS series versus the Cardinals, Barry Zito delivered a performance Giants fans won't soon forget. He pitched 7.2 scoreless innings, allowing seven baserunners and striking out six in the Giants' 5-0 victory. The Giants never looked back after Game 5, winning the final two games of the series to make it to their second World Series in three years.

Credit:

USA TODAY IMAGES

Encore performance in 2012 World Series

Barry Zito carried his NLCS success into the World Series. In Game 1 against Detroit's Justin Verlander, Zito pitched 5.2 innings of one-run ball, allowing seven baserunners and striking out three in the Giants' 8-3 win. San Francisco went on to sweep the series, capturing their second world championship in three years.

Credit:

USA TODAY IMAGES

Moved to 'pen in 2013

After another disappointing season with the Giants, Barry Zito was moved to the bullpen in early August. Zito has posted a 9.07 ERA on the road compared to a 3.58 ERA at home in what will likely be his final year in San Francisco. The Giants can pick up Zito's $18 million option for 2014 or buy out his final year for $7 million.

Credit:

AP

Farewell start

Zito made what will likely be his final start in a Giants uniform on Wednesday, Sept. 25. He threw five innings, allowing only one earned run, and was pulled by manager Bruce Bochy despite his wishes to stay in the game. His final start of 2013 all but caps a Giants career colored by extremes. The Giants exercised the buy-out option of Zito's contract to part ways with the 2002 Cy Young winner for a $7 million fee.

Credit:

AP

Zito returns to A's

After not pitching in 2014, Zito reportedly signed a minor league deal with the A's on Monday, February 16, 2015.